Trump: There is a real chance for peace in Gaza

(Patria) - US President Donald Trump believes there is a real chance for a peace agreement in the Gaza Strip.

On the other hand, Palestinian Hamas announced that it wants to reach an agreement to end the war in Gaza based on Trump's plan, but still has a number of demands, signaling that indirect negotiations with Israel in Egypt could be difficult and lengthy.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, where he spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, that US negotiators are also involved in the talks in Egypt.

- There is a real chance that we could do something. I think there is a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East. That is something even beyond the situation in Gaza. We want the immediate release of hostages - said Trump.

He added that the US will do everything possible to ensure that everyone adheres to the agreement, if Hamas and Israel agree on a ceasefire to end the war.

The talks taking place in Egypt appear to be the most promising so far for ending the war in which tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed and the Gaza Strip devastated since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 - in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 people taken hostage to the Gaza Strip.

- The delegation of the movement (Hamas) participating in the current negotiations in Egypt is working to overcome all obstacles to reach an agreement that fulfills the aspirations of our people in Gaza - said senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum.

He points out that the agreement must ensure the end of the war and the complete withdrawal of Israel from the Gaza Strip - conditions that Israel has never accepted. Israel, for its part, wants Hamas to be disarmed, which the group rejects.

- Hamas wants a permanent, comprehensive ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the immediate start of a comprehensive reconstruction process under the supervision of a Palestinian "national technocratic body" - Barhoum added.

US officials have suggested that they want the talks to initially focus on a cessation of hostilities and the logistics for the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Qatar, one of the mediators, says many details need to be worked out, indicating that an agreement is not imminent.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza, increasing its international isolation.

Israel and Hamas have supported the general principles of Trump's plan, according to which fighting would cease, hostages would be released, and aid would go to Gaza. Arab and Western countries have also supported the plan.

An official involved in ceasefire planning and a Palestinian source said that Trump's 72-hour deadline for the return of hostages may not be achievable for dead hostages, as their remains may need to be located and recovered.